Sussex Interpreting Services (SIS) has launched a new practical resource, Making your service more accessible for people with language needs, bringing together a range of free tools and guidance to help organisations improve communication and engagement with diverse communities. The resource highlights a variety of support options including: bilingual appointment letters in 19 languages translated…
Photo: Chichester College Group For the second year running, SIS attended the Community Celebration event at Brighton MET College. This event marks the end of the academic year for its ESOL learners and is an opportunity for the college to mark the students’ achievements and successes. It has a very vibrant, positive atmosphere which is…
SIS is excited to launch a new Guidance Toolkit for health and care researchers to help people with language needs, who require bilingual support to understand and express themselves fully in English, to be included and participate in research studies. Inclusive research is increasingly required by funders because it: improves the relevance and quality of…
SIS is delighted to be participating in the Climate for Communities Partnership to support people with language needs to engage with and participate in climate action locally. Thanks to National Lottery players, The Trust for Developing Communities (TDC) has been awarded almost £1.3 million over three years to empower underrepresented communities in Brighton & Hove…
A result of our membership of and funding from the Sussex Research Engagement Network, SIS has recently worked with a research team at the University of Sussex on their Digital Inclusion Lab project to help them make their research more inclusive for people with language needs. We met with the team to share our knowledge…
A new Public and Community Involvement and Engagement (PCIE) plan for the Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC) has been developed through a partnership between Sussex Research Engagement Network (REN), Community Researchers, local VCSE organisations, and the SCRC. The plan is based on insights gathered during 2025 from almost 50 individuals from underserved communities in Sussex…
On a gloriously sunny Saturday 9th May, the UOK Partnership (B&H’s Wellbeing Support Service) and North Whitehawk Residents Association hosted a family friendly, wellbeing event in North Whitehawk. It aimed to bring the community together in a relaxed and fun environment, let residents know about the work of UOk, build trust and reach people who…
Community Voices Group (CVG) is for Brighton and Hove residents who identify as Black, brown, Asian or from another language, ethnic or migrant community. Members of the group talk to people in their community about what’s important to them and bring this information to meetings. The group discuss issues that matter to them and then talk…
SIS Service Users face barriers to taking part in Health and Social Care Research, including language, culture, and knowledge. However, culturally informed engagement, trusted relationships, and accessible, language supported research design can reduce these. SIS’s experience with Community Research started almost 10 years ago with the 2016 International Migrants Needs Assessment for Brighton and Hove…
In early February 2026, Research Engagement Network (REN) teams from across the South East came together to share their work, insights and learning. The Sussex REN was represented by SIS Quality Assurance & Projects Manager Vikki Gimson, and Bilingual Community Researcher Meryam Ejjia, alongside colleagues from Trust for Developing Communities. The event showcased the diverse…
